Asbestos Regulations Research Articles

Towards an improved wind effect assessment for asbestos abatement: A methodology for reduced-scale experiments

During building renovation or demolition, asbestos fibers can be released which can contaminate the environment, leading to potential occupational health and public health concerns. Strict asbestos abatement procedures and regulations are in place to mitigate this risk, which involve sealing the worksite and depressurizing it relative to the outdoor environment (i.e., indoor pressure lower than the outdoor pressure) using mechanical ventilation. However, the depressurization of the containment can be breached by the effects of the wind. Hence, it is essential to identify which wind conditions are problematic and how to prevent their effects. To conduct corresponding laboratory measurements, it is first required to scale down the building and its containment zone including a working mechanical ventilation system. This paper presents an innovative methodology for conducting reduced-scale experiments on buildings equipped with mechanical ventilation systems for contaminant containment. The methodology, here explained in the context of asbestos abatement, could also be applied to any other type of particulate pollutant. The methodology of this research study includes the design of a mechanical ventilation system for depressurization; a method to scale down the building and the ventilation system for testing in a wind tunnel; and 3D steady Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulations for optimizing the positioning of the ventilation components. The methodology is applied for a single-zone building including its ventilation system, which is found to achieve the targeted indoor depressurization of −40 Pa, making it ready for wind tunnel tests.

Application of Supervised Learning Methods and Information Gain Methods in the Determination of Asbestos–Cement Roofs’ Deterioration State

This study introduces an innovative approach to evaluate the condition of asbestos–cement (AC) roofs by integrating field data with five distinct supervised learning models: decision trees, KNN, logistic regression, support vector machine, and random forest. A novel methodology for assessing the importance of 380 reflectance bands was employed, offering fresh insights into the key indicators of AC roof deterioration. The research systematically organized and prioritized reflectance bands based on their information gain, optimizing both the selection of relevant bands and the performance of the models in differentiating between low and high intervention priority (LIP and HIP) roofs. The decision tree model, when applied to the top 10 most relevant bands, achieved the highest cross-validation accuracy of 76.047%, making it the most effective tool for identifying AC roof conditions. Additionally, the random forest model demonstrated strong performance across various band groups, further validating its utility. Utilizing the open-source software Weka (version 3.8.6), this study adeptly executed relevance evaluation and model implementation, providing a practical and scalable solution for material characterization, especially in regions where resources for spectral and hyperspectral image analysis are limited. The findings of this study offer valuable tools for government and environmental authorities, particularly in developing countries, where efficient and cost-effective AC roof assessment is crucial for public health and safety. The methodology is adaptable to different urban environments and climatic conditions, supporting global efforts in asbestos management, especially in countries where asbestos regulations are newly implemented. Organized within the CRISP-DM framework, this paper details the methodological phases, presents compelling results on reflectance band relevance, evaluates machine learning models, and concludes with prospects for future research aimed at enhancing asbestos detection and removal strategies.

Positive impact of academic center care on overall survival in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM): A National Cancer Database (NCDB) socioeconomic factor analysis.

8558 Background: MPM is a rare cancer with a poor prognosis. Median survival for untreated patients is 4-13 months, and for treated patients is 6-18 months. Despite asbestos regulations in the United States, annual deaths from MPM rose from 2,479 in 1999 to 2,597 in 2015. Given recent treatment advances, including improvements in multimodality therapy and the introduction of immunotherapy as a treatment option in the frontline setting, the impact that patient demographics and treatment factors have on survival outcomes for MPM requires further evaluation. Methods: We identified all patients with MPM in the NCDB from 2004 to 2017. Differences in demographic, disease, and treatment characteristics were assessed by year of diagnosis using Chi-square test. The effect of age, race, insurance status, income, distance to treatment center, and education level on overall survival (OS) was assessed by log-rank test. Results: There were 15,287 MPM diagnoses in the NCDB between 2004-2010 and 17,059 diagnoses between 2011-2017. OS improved between the two time periods, with median OS of 9.46 months (95% CI: 9.23-9.63) and 5-year OS rate of 8.3% (95% CI: 7.9-8.7%) in patients from 2004-2011 and median OS of 11.33 months (95% CI: 11.01-11.7) and 5-year OS rate of 12.4% (95% CI: 11.8-13.1%) in patients after 2011, despite an increase in stage IV disease in the latter group. Older patients (≥65 years-old), males, patients with stage IV disease, patients with government primary payer insurance, and patients from urban areas all had significantly worse OS. Patients without comorbidities and those treated at an academic center had significantly better OS. OS was found to significantly increase as both income and education level increase. Patients diagnosed after 2011 were significantly older, were more frequently female, had more stage IV disease, were more frequently treated at academic centers, more commonly had government primary payer insurance, and lived significantly further away from their treatment center. Patients’ time to treatment was significantly increased after 2011 (from 28 to 31 days). Conclusions: Socioeconomic factors play an important role in survival outcomes for patients with MPM. Many of these are linked with access to healthcare resources, which may increase the likelihood of evaluation at academic centers. For a rare malignancy such as mesothelioma, subspecialty care consisting of a comprehensive thoracic surgical evaluation and appropriate multimodality treatment are of great importance. Time to treatment increased during the study period yet OS improved, which our findings suggest are a result of an increase in evaluation and treatment at academic centers by providers skilled in delivering care to MPM patients.

The Definition of Asbestos - A Manufactured Defense to Avoid Regulation and Victim Compensation

Background: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) first identified asbestos as a regulated workplace hazard in 1971. In the half century since, OSHA has fully rescinded only one of its hundreds of regulations, one that happened to regulate a form of asbestos found as an accessory mineral in cosmetic talc. This extremely rare action grew out of a 20-year campaign by Talc Mining and Manufacturing Companies (TM&MCs) to redefine some of the asbestos routinely found in talc as “non-asbestos” to keep talc out of the regulation. Under this new definition, at least 50% of the products sold as asbestos became “non-asbestos.” Methods: We used systematic search techniques and grounded theory to review published studies, government records, corporate documents and public statements. Results: Current asbestos regulations and test methods rely heavily on asbestos geologic definition which determine the majority of asbestos fibers as “non-asbestos.” In essence, this geologic definition defined some asbestos out of existence. However, asbestos regulations should be driven by the health effects of asbestos. Conclusions: TM&MCs funded experts and lobbied OSHA to promote an overly restrictive definition of asbestos and to support inadequate test methods in place of more effective procedures. These companies subsequently relied on these same restrictive definitions and inadequate tests to falsely claim that their cosmetic talcs are free of asbestos. Replacing the restrictive geologic definition of asbestos with a health definition is needed to protect the public from the well-known dangers of asbestos.

Revision of Asbestos Regulations and the Challenges of Future Asbestos Control Measures

｢最悪の産業殺人者 (Worst Industrial Killer)」 と呼ばれる石綿 (アスベスト) は，100 年以上前から被害を発生させてきた 「古典的」 な発がん物質だが，現在でも労働衛生上の最大の脅威であるだけでなく，一般環境と建物内の環境にとっても重大な脅威となっている。2020 年，石綿を規制する 2 つの重要な法規である大気汚染防止法と石綿障害予防規則が改正された。建物の調査と石綿の分析を行う者の要件を定めるなど，基本的に規制強化といえるが，諸外国と比較して不十分な点も多く残されている。本稿では，石綿の被害の特徴に着目し，過去と現在の規制を概括し，これからの石綿対策について考察する。

Naturally Occurring Asbestos in France: Geological Mapping, Mineral Characterization, and Technical Developments

ABSTRACT In France, asbestos was banned by national decree (no. 96-1133) in 1996. The regulatory texts and standards adopted to implement this ban are concerned primarily with asbestos-containing manufactured products and are difficult to apply to asbestos-bearing natural materials (i.e., rocks and soils). Considering problems related to asbestos-bearing natural materials, the French Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development, and Energy has mandated the French Geological Survey to map locations where asbestos-bearing rocks are found. Mapping was prioritized to geological domains where naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) was predictable (e.g., the Western Alps and Corsica). These studies integrated field expertise, sampling, and laboratory analysis data to characterize the potential of geological units to contain NOA. Additionally, studies were conducted on geological formations exploited to produce aggregates. These studies were focused on quarries excavating massive, basic or ultrabasic rocks likely to contain NOA and quarries mining alluvium likely to contain asbestos-bearing rock pebbles. These studies highlight the difficulty of establishing robust analytical procedures for natural materials. The distinction between cleavage fragments (resulting from the fragmentation of non-asbestos particles) and proper asbestos fibers is particularly problematic for laboratories. Thus, a recent study by the National Agency for Health Safety, Food, Environment, and Work recommends applying the asbestos regulation to elongated mineral particles (length/depth > 3:1, length > 5 μm, depth < 3 μm) with chemical composition corresponding to one of the five regulated amphibole species regardless of their mode of crystallization (asbestiform or non-asbestiform). The upcoming regulatory changes are part of a decree published in 2017, including the prior identification of asbestos in natural soils or rocks likely to be impacted by ground-disturbing construction activities. Specific protocols will be defined for sampling, analysis, and characterization of natural materials that may contain asbestos.

Epidemiology of mesothelioma in the 21st century in Europe and the United States, 40 years after restricted/banned asbestos use.

Research has established a strong association between asbestos exposure and malignant mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer. Since the early 1980’s many countries have restricted or banned the production of asbestos, leading to a decline of occupational asbestos exposure in many industrialized countries. However, some countries continue to use asbestos, and worldwide rates of mesothelioma are still increasing. Because of the long latency between exposure and mesothelioma occurrence and the persistence of environmental exposure, incidence rates (IR) may decrease very slowly for several years ahead. In this review, we examine estimates of asbestos consumption before widespread asbestos regulations and the trends in incidence and mortality rates, as well as changes over time for the United States and Europe. In some countries with earlier asbestos restrictions, mesothelioma incidence has been in a modest decline over time. However, asbestos exposure is still a burden worldwide and legislative action is needed to obtain a full ban. The pattern of mesothelioma is shifting from a mostly male disease to a disease that affects females as well in substantial numbers. Studies on unknown sources of asbestos exposure, of other sources of natural exposure to asbestos and asbestos-like fibers, as well as of individual genetic susceptibility to asbestos fibers are needed.

States sue US EPA for failure to act on asbestos

A coalition of 11 state attorneys general is taking the US Environmental Protection Agency to court following the agency’s denial of a petition seeking an asbestos regulation. The petition, which the states filed in January, asked the EPA to require companies to report their importation and use of asbestos in the US. The states asserted that the agency needs such data to prevent unreasonable risks to people and the environment posed by asbestos, a known human carcinogen. The agency denied the states’ petition in April. The EPA must finish its evaluation of the risks of asbestos under the revised Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) by the end of the year. Asbestos “kills tens of thousands of people every year, yet the Trump Administration is choosing to ignore the very serious health risks it poses,” Massachusetts attorney general Maura Healey says in a statement. Healey and several state attorneys general previously

Analytical transmission electron microscopy of amosite asbestos from South Africa

Using the recognized amosite standard, we have performed transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and chemical analyses. We use high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and zone-axis selected area electron diffraction (SAED) to describe the molecular structure of the fibers. We find that both microscopic observational evidence and statistical dimensional characteristics indicate that the amosite fibers are formed by longitudinal splitting, with surfaces produced by fine twinning and lateral boundaries formed by parting parallel to the planes of double and triple sheets of amphibole chain structures. Our findings indicate that amosite would not be regulated under current asbestos regulations, which define amphibole asbestos as whole crystals that are not split and that form fibril bundles, not found in our standard. However, it is fully documented that amosite causes mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.

OSHA and elongate mineral particles

The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was established to provide guidance to protect workers from hazards in the workplace. After broadly adopting extant health and safety standards, OSHA promulgated an expanded standard for regulation of asbestos. This standard provided for regulation of six named minerals and practices to be followed. Since the initial establishment of asbestos regulation by OSHA, other elongate particles have been considered for evaluation. This discussion describes the evolution of the OSHA regulations for asbestos, what they cover and how other materials might be regulated if they are found to pose a health risk.

Managing hazardous materials in New Zealand’s National Petrology Reference collection

ABSTRACTNew Zealand’s National Petrology Reference Collection at GNS Science includes samples of radioactive and asbestiform minerals and rocks. The legislative requirements for managing these potentially hazardous samples have recently changed because the Radiation Safety Act, Radiation Safety Regulations and Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations were revised in 2016–2017. Steps have been taken at GNS Science to ensure legislative requirements are met, and procedures put in place to safely store and manage radioactive and asbestiform-bearing samples within the collection. These procedures may have application to other curated geological collections at New Zealand universities and museums involving potentially hazardous materials.

Transnational Dynamics Amid Poor Regulations: Taiwan's Asbestos Ban Actions and Experiences.

This article describes the history of the asbestos use regulation process in Taiwan and the associated factors leading to its total ban in 2018. Despite the long history of asbestos mining and manufacturing since the Japanese colonial period, attempts to understand the impact of asbestos on the health of the population and to control its use did not emerge until the early 1980s. We attempted to investigate the driving forces and obstructions involved in asbestos regulations by reviewing available public sources and scientific journal articles and conducting interviews with key propagators of the asbestos regulation and ban. Correlation between asbestos exposure and asbestos-related diseases has already been established; however, authorities have been unable to effectively regulate the extensive application of asbestos in various light industries that support economic growth since the 1960s. More stringent regulations on asbestos use in industries and an eventual ban were caused indirectly by appeals made by visionary scholars and healthcare professionals but also due to the subsidence of asbestos-related industries. With the elucidation of factors that affect asbestos regulation and ban, a thorough long-term healthcare plan for the neglected victims of asbestos-related diseases and upstream measures for policy change must be developed.

"Ain't Necessarily So!": The Brake Industry's Impact on Asbestos Regulation in the 1970s.

Canada is proposing a ban on asbestos, and the US Environmental Protection Agency has listed it among the first 10 materials it is investigating under the new Toxic Substances Control Act revisions. However, this effort is currently running up against enormous industry and political opposition. Here, we detail the activities in the early 1970s of the Friction Materials Standards Institute, an industry trade association, to stifle earlier attempts to regulate asbestos use in brake linings, one of the oldest and most obvious sources of asbestos exposure to mechanics, among others. (Am J Public Health. 2017: 1395-1399. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2017.303901).

Managing Asbestos-Containing Materials in the Built Environment: Report of a Health and Safety Executive and Government Office for Science Workshop.

The duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises is described in the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. Health and Safety Executive (HSE) policy and guidance on asbestos in the built environment in Great Britain is that asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) that are in good condition and unlikely to be disturbed can be managed in place. Where ACMs are in poor condition or likely to be disturbed they should be repaired, encapsulated or, if necessary, removed. HSE and Government Office for Science hosted a stakeholder workshop to consider evidence on the management of ACMs in public buildings. Invitees attended from a range of backgrounds (including regulatory, government, academic, medical, public interest groups, and professional service providers). Participants considered the evidence, suggested nine evidence gap areas and ranked these according to preference in an anonymous vote. The top three suggested evidence gaps were: (i) the comparative risks of managing ACMs in place versus removal; (ii) improved measurement techniques at lower fibre concentrations; and (iii) building the evidence base on the effectiveness of asbestos management and safe removal. HSE will use the workshop outputs to inform its research planning. It is anticipated that a number of initiatives for shared research will be explored.

The asbestos paradox: global gaps in the translational science of disease prevention.

The asbestos paradox: global gaps in the translational science of disease prevention.

The implications of ‘notifiable non-licensed work with asbestos’: Practical difficulties for surveyors

This paper describes the practical difficulties that asbestos-containing materials can present for surveyors when considering the refurbishment, alteration and, ultimately, the valuation of a building. Health and Safety Executive guidance in respect of the different types of asbestos survey is discussed as well as the competency standards that must be attained by those responsible for undertaking these types of survey. The paper also explains the significance of recent legislation introduced to comply with the European Commission Asbestos Worker Protection Directive; in particular, the additional classification ‘notifiable non-licensed work’. The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 identifies three distinct categories of work with asbestos — licensed work, non-licensed work and notifiable non-licensed work. Each classification is defined, and an explanation provided as to the factors that must be considered in order to determine the applicable category of asbestos work. The author provides examples of work activities within each category and a Health and Safety Executive decision flow chart is presented as an aid to the decision-making process. Finally, the paper reviews a memorandum from the Asbestos Liaison Group relating to the partial relaxation of precautionary measures when soffits made of asbestos insulating board are removed.

273 The latency period of mesothelioma among a cohort of British asbestos workers (1978–2005)

ObjectivesTo investigate the hypothesis of an inverse relationship between intensity of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma latency among a cohort of asbestos workers in Britain.MethodsThe Great Britain (GB) Asbestos Survey recruited...

Cancer incidence among Swedish pulp and paper mill workers: a cohort study of sulphate and sulphite mills

Associations between various malignancies and work in the pulp and paper industry have been reported but mostly in analyses of mortality rather than incidence. We aimed to study cancer incidence by main mill pulping process, department and gender in a Swedish cohort of pulp and paper mill workers. The cohort (18,113 males and 2,292 females, enrolled from 1939 to 1999 with >1year of employment) was followed up for cancer incidence from 1958 to 2001. Information on the workers' department and employment was obtained from the mills' personnel files, and standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated using the Swedish population as reference. Overall cancer incidence, in total 2,488 cases, was not increased by work in any department. However, risks of pleural mesothelioma were increased among males employed in sulphate pulping (SIR, 8.38; 95% CI, 3.37-17) and maintenance (SIR, 6.35; 95% CI, 3.47-11), with no corresponding increase of lung cancer. Testicular cancer risks were increased among males employed in sulphate pulping (SIR, 4.14; 95% CI, 1.99-7.61) and sulphite pulping (SIR, 2.59; 95% CI, 0.95-5.64). Female paper production workers showed increased risk of skin tumours other than malignant melanoma (SIR, 2.92; 95% CI, 1.18-6.02). Incidence of pleural mesothelioma was increased in the cohort, showing that asbestos exposure still has severe health consequences, and highlighting the exigency of strict asbestos regulations and elimination. Testicular cancer was increased among pulping department workers. Shift work and endocrine disruptors could be of interest in this context.

605 石綿規制に対する管フランジ締結体の設計と国際動向(フランジガスケット締結体の力学と密封性能評価II)

605 石綿規制に対する管フランジ締結体の設計と国際動向(フランジガスケット締結体の力学と密封性能評価II)

The impact of recent control of asbestos regulations upon the building surveying industry

The impact of recent control of asbestos regulations upon the building surveying industry